1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
I think my thoughts this morning are simple. The apostle Paul’s teaching to the Corinthian church above is very simple and straight forward. This was a church like many of the first churches 2000 years ago that struggled with letting go of judging others, as they looked to be transformed into the church of Christ.
The church of Christ was a church for all people. No longer a gathering of people that looked like you or followed the same customs as you. Jesus had come so that all people created in God’s image might be saved.
The words that Paul wrote above are beautiful and seem simple enough to follow in theory. As we live our lives out and look to follow Christ we realize that applying those words above to our actions takes strength and resolve. And often, we fall very short in applying those attributes in our lives. We fall woefully short in the ways we are called to love every person created in God’s image.
The beauty of Jesus Christ is that even though we fall short – he never gives up on us. God is always with us, calling us back to the place where He wants us. Amen!
Friends, let’s be resolved today to apply Paul’s teaching above to our lives. To love the people around us as God has called us to love – A God sized love for all of the people in our lives. All of the people that pass by. All of the people that might come and go.
Love God. Love the world – as Jesus did. Be committed and resolved to be the comfort and blessing of Jesus Christ to the world and the place God has you today. Amen.
~ Pastor Denise
